“The Crown” – 2 Timothy 4.6-8

2 Timothy 4.6-8 – “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

I must admit that I am not a very good runner. In fact, I hardly run anymore even though I keep telling myself I am going to take up jogging again and get back in shape. I never ran competitively except for a few races. When I ran those races, each time I went out too fast and tired quickly. I would be the one dragging at the end of the line halfway through the race. It felt like I was never going to reach the finish line and wondered how I could make it.

However, each time I did make it to the finish line and I even made it without walking at any point during the race. I had determined in my mind that I would not walk at all and even though I went out too fast, I finished upright and running. I never won a prize for any of the races I ran, but I was very satisfied in just finishing well and not quitting or walking.

Paul is near the end of his life when he writes this letter to his son in the faith, Timothy. Paul says he is “being poured out like a drink offering.” The time of his departure is near. He does not despair of this. Instead he takes joy in the fact that he has “fought the good fight,” “finished the race,” and “kept the faith.” He knew that the prize awaited him because he had finished and finished well. The crown of righteousness awaited Paul and all those who long for His coming and who also finish their race well.

This life of faith we run is not a sprint. It is a marathon. Too often we begin so strongly and so well, only to fade as the race wears on. Some never even finish the race. They veer off course or quit altogether. The crown awaits only those who finish the race. How are you running? Are you keeping a good pace? Are you tempted to quit? Keep running even if it is slowly. Just keep running. There is also in store for you a crown of righteousness when you finish and don’t give up.